Friday, March 27, 2009

This post comes at a good time because there is a tutorial that was just put up on how to do this SUPER easy pattern. http://rachel-griffith.blogspot.com/ I love how she made hers into a runner, I am going to try that!

This lap size quilt used two charm packs and then I bought extra coordinating fabric for the border. Measure approx. 61x61.

I decided to experiment and try machine quilting swirls on the border and then stippled the middle which I must say I am improving on..who would of thought!!It's new home :o)

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

I was inspired by a project from Moda's Bakeshop(see right side bar). It's a table runner. I didn't have charm packs so cut up my squares. I wasn't sure what material this was, but saw through searching that it is by Urban Chicks. I rec'd it at my quilt retreat in a "treat bag". I added the red. I really love that blue and red with the white. I will be able to post the finished result in the next few days because I have it all stippled and the binding started!! Yay..two finished projects in one week..woohoo!!

I also am posting about the best idea ever. I had read it a few times about tying your scissors to your sewing machine. I was forever "looking" for scissors, now I have to search no more. I always have my little scissors handy.

Today I had the day off and was able to complete the binding. The only mistake I made about the binding was to think "oh I'll just go and buy the binding when I am ready"...guess what? I went to get some more pink for the binding last night and it was all gone!! So, it was between the blue and the green..I chose the green as it was softer and I wanted to keep it "girlie"

Doing that little swirly tail on the bird was the scariest part! I had to follow the line I drew first with COLORED thread..looks good, just don't look too close..lol.

I even added a label. I printed mine after a few attemps of using the permanent ink pen or whatever you call it. It would either run or I would mess it up somehow. So, I opted to use some printable fabric sheets I had. MUCH neater job. Isabella's Bday is sunday : )

This was my second stippling project and I have to say it was a much better job than my first try. I did have a few bumps in the road along the way, a few times incorporating the thread ripper. Sometimes I felt like a car losing control...lol..seriously I would be motoring along and new I was off course and I was going to crash somehow..but I always got myself on track. Great way to learn..trial and error. Overall I am so happy with it. This quilt makes me smile. I can just see her little finger pointing to the flowers and the bird.

OH....and big blog excitement. Crazymomquilts commented on my blog today...can you say I was so excited!! I obsessively check her blog everyday, she is so amazingly talented and so inspiring. Thanks again Amanda Jean : )

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

..Isabella's quilt will be done. It's been sandwiched, it's been basted and....

....it's been stippled!! I came home from lunch today and finished it and was so excited. I don't have a pic though, that will be shown after the binding is on. I have to go trim it up and hopefully get the binding sewn on tonight.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

...and I need a neck and shoulder massage! It wasn't the funnest process to secure that applique but it is done! The quilt is now ready to be sandwiched and I need to figure out how I am going to machine quilt it..yikes! Being the inexperienced newbie that I am. I am sure Isabella will forgive me for any mistakes I make : )

Friday, March 6, 2009

Sewing down the applique process has begun for Isabella's quilt! Is it a bad thing that I would rather not go to work today and just stay home and sew!!

I am taking Kellie's advice ( http://dontlooknow.typepad.com/dont_look_now/ ) and using blanket stich for the applique to ensure longevity as this will be toted around for a few more years I suspect. I plan on having the blanket stitching and the quilt sandwiched and hopefully started on the machine quilting by the end of the weekend!! Her bday is next saturday so I better get cracking.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

This was supposed to be a wallhanging, but I decided to make it into a pillow. I stippled on the border and just did a bit of quilting around the rabbits. I pondered wether to quilt in the white, but chickened out.